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Witnesses Say Plane Did Barrel Roll
Before Impact

Aero-News is was
extremely saddened to report the loss of Thom Leveque, West Coast
regional sales representative for Cirrus Design, in an accident
late Sunday morning near the community of Creston, CA.

Citing witness reports, The San Luis Obispo Tribune states the
accident aircraft -- confirmed by ANN as an SR22 Turbo -- was
performing barrel rolls shortly before the accident. County
officials received several calls about the accident at 1140 PST
Sunday.

Investigators with the NTSB and FAA have not corroborated
witness accounts.

The plane impacted sloping terrain on Pine Hills Ranch. Hal
Holzinger, owner of the property, said his neighbors saw the
aircraft buzz a home less than one mile from the accident site,
before the crash.

"We heard an engine that sounded like it was racing and then a
thud," added neighbor David Butler, who didn’t see the
accident.

Fuel spilled along one wing of the aircraft sparked a small
fire, which was contained by neighbors and fire crews. The pilot's
body was found away from the wreckage.

Based on the nature of the debris field, members of the county
Sheriff’s Department search-and-rescue team said the plane
'pancaked' into the ridgeline. Investigators found skid marks
leading to the wreckage, and two of the plane’s tires were
found about a quarter-mile apart.